Yeah, stats and materia, if used correctly, can effect you enough to see a noticeable impact. It may seem somewhat small and insignificant to some, but we are min/maxing here. 200+ more points of hp I'm curing is pretty awesome to me, but I guess some people don't see it as enough? Just remember, it is possible, but not plausible, to stack 5 materia on a single item. They have to remember the balance with this new system. And yes, I know people can kill things without materia gear or gear in general (save for weapons,) but that doesn't mean stats don't matter at all.